There is no easy answer for "What?"

Lance Storm isn't known for his outspoken nature. But what he had to say about Steve Austin's "What?" catch phrase certainly was worth listening to.

The former United States champion recalled the events from this past Monday's "Heat" tapings and subsequent live "Raw." Storm, the first performer to appear in front of the crowd at Madison Square Garden, did his best to deliver a heel promo.

Storm was paired with WWF developmental wrestler, Brock Lesnar - a former National Amateur Champion - in a non-televised match.

So Storm figured he'd give the crowd a little campy anti-USA, pro-Canadian rhetoric to rile up the fans before his patriotic opponent blasted through the curtain.

But Storm's usual array of verbiage wasn't met with the usual reaction that heels crave from fans. Instead, Storm's promo was an afterthought, because the New York crowd was too busy saying "What?" after every line of his diatribe.

Storm's message, as well as the desired response from the crowd, was lost.

"The problem is that the crowd is so tied up in getting their 'Whats' in that they no longer listen to your promo," said Storm last week on his Web site, stormwrestling.com.

"Furthermore, they are having so much fun doing it that it's near impossible to get any heat. My promo took twice as long and got half the heat. It was one of the most frustrating things I've ever experienced in the ring."

Storm's dilemma raises an interesting question: Has Austin's "What?" phenomenon done more harm than good?

If heels such as Storm can't get their point across to the crowd, then they are pretty much useless to tell a story and either develop or further an angle.

Taking nothing away from Storm, but even superstars the caliber of Kurt Angle, Vince McMahon and even the returning Triple H were forced to work around the crowd's persistence to mutter what has become a more annoying than enjoying catch phrase.

The fact that the crowd chanted "What?" while Hunter was speaking was even more unbelievable. Triple H, after eight months away from the WWF due to a severe quadriceps injury, was met with an ovation that would rival that of Ric Flair in Charlotte, N.C.

"The Game," after a few minutes, was no different than Storm.

Even more disheartening than fans interrupting a monumental, unforgettable return by Triple H, was that the New York audience actually chanted "What?" during ring announcer Lillian Garcia's rendition of the "The Star-Spangled Banner."

There's nothing wrong with fans having fun and interacting with WWF superstars, but there is no justification for a live crowd, especially in New York City, purposely interfering with our nation's anthem.

Given the events endured by thousands in that city, the crowd at The Garden should be ashamed and embarrassed by their actions Monday before "Raw" went on the air.

But can a catch phrase as simple as "What?" do this much damage•

Consider this from the perspective of the superstar who created this revelation, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

The former five-time WWF champion is a face again, and his popularity is growing thanks to this new gimmick, of sorts. His "What?" T-shirt is the top selling piece of WWF merchandise.

His "What?" phrase also has continued the WWF's philosophy of having the crowd involved at house shows (non-televised events), live television events and "Smackdown" tapings.

Could something so simple as "What?" reinvigorate sagging attendance for WWF house shows• Stranger things - "The People's Elbow" as a credible finisher, Scotty Too Hotty pinning people with "The Worm" - have happened.

So why, in a sense, should Austin be reprimanded or punished for what at first glance appears to be a creative, innovative - yet simplistic - idea•

The WWF can't punish Austin. It's not his fault if something catches on.

The fans are the first and foremost critics of sports entertainment. If they like something, they'll let McMahon know about it.

And they happen to like this latest fad.

Pulling Austin off television is not a plausible idea either, because he's one of the WWF's biggest draws. The WWF could conceivably ask Austin to address a crowd before the show.

Perhaps seeing Austin out of his "Stone Cold" character and explaining that "What?" is not appropriate in certain situations would give fans more incentive to listen.

Storm suggested that Austin should be positioned on the show in accordance with when someone has something important to say. In essence, the fans can get the "What?" bug out of their system, so superstars like Jericho, Hunter and Angle can give their promos in peace.

That idea is fine, but there is no guarantee that fans will follow, or even pick up on, such an undefined, vague format.

What's even more of an issue for the WWF is that attempting to censor "What?" completely goes against everything it preaches to groups like the Parents Television Council or individuals such as L. Brent Bozell III.

McMahon can't exhort free speech to his critics, then turn around and censor his fans.

The best advice to deal with "What?" is to simply shrug its shoulders and echo that same complacent sentiment. What are we supposed to do about it, the WWF asks• The only thing it can do - nothing.

Just like other past gimmicks, phrases and storylines, "What?" simply has to run its course with the fans, and sooner or later, they'll grow tired of it.

At least that's what we can hope for.

Rennie Detore's Pro Wrestling Insider appears Sundays in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.